Ahmaud Arbery Was At Construction Site Because He Was Electrician's Apprentice

BY Erika Marie 4.6K Views
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Ahmaud Arbery
Ahmaud Arbery wasn't trying to steal anything from the construction site he was spotted at, says the Arbery family's lawyer, S. Lee Merritt.

More information about Ahmaud Arbery has been revealed as the weeks have progressed. The two men responsible for his murder—father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael, respectively—are currently sitting in jail awaiting the District Attorney's next move. Meanwhile, S. Lee Merritt, the Arbery family's attorney, has come forward to discuss the surveillance video that shows Ahmaud checking out a construction site just moments before he was gunned down in the street.

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"He has two uncles on his mother's side who are electricians. He was entering an apprenticeship as an electrician. He had even gone to school and received some college [education] to begin to get his associate's degree so that he could become an electrician," Merritt said. "So yeah, it would make sense that he would enter this property that was commonly entered to. It's a big porta-potty out front. It's clearly under construction. To our knowledge, no 'no trespassing' sign. As you see in the video, he walks around and he looks up. He looks at the wiring, he looks at the walls, he looks at the architecture."

Those advocating for the release of the McMichaels have argued that, as the father and son have contested, Ahmaud was a robbery suspect. It's the belief of the McMichaels' supporters that Ahmaud was at the construction site looking for something to steal, but the 25-year-old's family claims the video surveillance doesn't support that theory.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.